New Boston Marathon security measures detailed

Tuesday

Mar 11, 2014 at 12:01 AMMar 11, 2014 at 12:03 PM

By Scott O'ConnellDaily News Staff

FRAMINGHAM – Spectators are not welcome to bring backpacks, coolers or even glass containers or cans. But the head of the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency said people planning to attend next month's Boston Marathon will still be able to have a "fun, festive" time as a host of new security measures are introduced in response to last year's dual bombings.MEMA director Kurt Schwartz, flanked by members of various federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies at a press conference at MEMA headquarters Monday morning, said the extra precautions are to "preserve the traditional feel and character of the Boston Marathon" while still addressing some of the enhanced safety needs after two improvised bombs inside pressure cookiers killed three and injured more than 250 people near the finish line a year ago.This year, public safety agencies and race organizers are discouraging spectators from bringing large handbags, blankets, costumes, props, and several other items that might not have raised an eyebrow a year ago. They are also telling people not to go on the race course, either to run as an unofficial entrant, or "bandit," or to jog alongside a friend or relative in the Marathon.Enforcing those new guidelines along the entire 26.2-mile course will be 3,500 police officers - nearly twice as many as last year - who will be periodically doing searches of spectators' bags and keeping a look out for "suspicious behavior," Schwartz said.There will also be more coordination with federal officials, more video surveillance, and more barricades along the course than last year. Officials are asking spectators to be more aware as well, reflected by the motto for this year's race: "See something, say something.""Any open event like this is a challenge," said Ashland Police Chief Craig Davis, whose town includes nearly three miles of the Marathon route. "We're really relying on the public to be vigilant and mindful of what happened last year."But Davis also said he believes the overall experience won't be that different for viewers on Marathon Monday. Schwartz said many of the new "simple and common sense guidelines" this year are intended to put people's minds at ease, particularly the ban on large containers and bags.Race officials and public safety directors from each of the eight cities and towns along the Marathon course began meeting last summer to plot security, he said. They drew from the systems used at other large, heavily attended events, as well as from organizations that have experience coordinating them, like the New York Police Department.They also were helped by several federal agencies, including Homeland Security, which appointed a federal coordinator to help oversee planning.Kiernan Ramsey, the FBI's assistant special agent-in-charge, said authorities have not received any specific threats against this year's race."We don't have one, and we don't anticipate one," he said. "This is about as safe an event as we could prepare."Last year's Marathon was marred by explosions authorities say were caused by bombs left on Boylston Street by suspects Tamerlan Tsarnaev, who they say was killed while trying to escape from police days after the race, and his brother Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, who is currently in federal custody awaiting trial.Scott O'Connell can be reached at 508-626-4449 or soconnell@wickedlocal.com. Follow him on Twitter: @ScottOConnellMW